Snow, sleet, frozen rain, and black ice, wet, drizzle, frostbitten fingertips, and the never-ending bundle-up -- has the cold winter weather got you down? Well, come then, dream with me. Let's escape (if only in our minds) to several warm-weather vacation hot spots. Sun, sand, and flip flops, where are the best summery-type locales to head to when it's cold and dreary at home?

Maybe you really are planning a warm-weather getaway this winter -- and if so, lucky you. But if not, close your eyes and go with me. I swear it gets a few degrees warmer after the jump.

As winter approaches the proximity to a fantastic kid museum or play area is crucial to everyone's mental health. That being said, some museums are way better at running your brood ragged than others. In fact, some offer as much entertainment and stimulation for you, as your kids. That's when you know you have a winning winter activity.

After visiting, polling and searching, the following 10 museums come out on top as the best places to go kid crazy this winter, or any time of the year.

Snow hurricane!!!

Is your outdoor world currently being buried by a giant white kerplunk of snow? Well, just because there's a near winter white snow blizzard outside doesn't mean it can't be sunny indoors.

A friend and I were talking about taking our children to a big playground once the weather warms up, but you know, why do we always wait for the weather to be nice to play outside? There are these things called coats ...

Nature Rocks is a nationwide program that wants to help make it easier for parents and children to get outside and explore nature, even in the dead of winter.

Children who spend time outdoors are happier, healthier and smarter, according to research.

Because the group knows how much we all make excuses to stay inside in winter, it's created a Winter Wonderland Activity Guide.

The guide has everything from 30-minute activities to full-day adventures, for people who live in both snowy and non-snowy areas. You can download the Guide here or go to the Nature Rocks website.   Here's a sampling:

This happy dog running in the snow is about the cutest thing ever.

Does your dog love the snow or hate it and want to stay inside the warm house all winter?

One thing I love about warm weather is the abundance of activities you can do. But once cold weather hits, your kids are limited (and are inside a lot more).